R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America
USDA Announcement of Different BSE Test Results Seven Months After Agency Announced Official Results Raises Serious Questions
(Billings, Mont.) – USDA announced late Friday that after retesting brain samples from three cattle – including an animal announced to be negative for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) last November – it now appears that the November 2004 animal has a "weak positive" test result. R-CALF USA President Leo McDonnell said the public should remain confident in the safety of U.S. beef. However, he raised concerns about the actions of USDA regarding BSE, and issued this statement:
"From what USDA said Friday, it appears that the only reason these recent tests were done is because the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG), an independent watchdog authority within the agency, insisted that the tests be done. In addition, the OIG requested a specific type of test be done, the Western blot test.
"This latest announcement reinforces what R-CALF has been saying all along, that if the United States is to continue to have the safest beef in the world, with the toughest safety standards in the world, we need to maintain and reinforce our two strongest firewalls against BSE: our feed ban on meat and bone meal (MBM), and our import ban. United States cattle producers raise high quality cattle and do all they can to ensure their cattle's health. We depend upon these firewalls to protect our cattle herd and food supply. R-CALF USA has already been calling on USDA and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to take additional steps to minimize the possibility of BSE being introduced and subsequently spread in the United States.
"All three 'inconclusive' test results announced by USDA last year caused live cattle prices to fall, and we have yet to see how the markets will react on Monday to this incident. Why would USDA not have retested this animal over 7 months ago if it had any doubts as to the accuracy of its tests? USDA's past actions have unnecessarily traumatized U.S. cattle producers, and this situation raises the need for further questioning of USDA's handling of the entire BSE issue.
"Ironically, on Thursday, the Secretary held a roundtable discussion supposedly to talk about the science of BSE, but had no scientists present to discuss the need for different testing protocols, and instead, the Secretary deflected discussion away from science and to the economics of the issue, such as USDA's position that cattle prices are too high.
"Specifically, we are concerned that USDA appears to be flip-flopping on its testing procedures. USDA previously told us the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test used to confirm that the earlier cases were negative was the 'gold standard' test for BSE. USDA actually criticized the earlier Japanese announcements of two positive BSE cases in cows less than 30 months of age because those cows were tested with the Western blot test – the same test that USDA is now saying shows a 'weak positive.' This situation calls for a more thorough analysis of the science behind BSE.
"We're pleased USDA has decided to send this sample to the international laboratory in Weybridge, England, because scientists there have had more experience with this disease than the U.S., and based on that experience, Europeans have implemented more stringent risk mitigation measures.
"It is important not to over-react to USDA's announced test results, because we must now wait for the confirmatory test by the international laboratory in Weybridge, England. United States cattle producers have complied with precautionary measures required by USDA and other agencies to protect the U.S. beef supply."
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R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow-calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 18,000 strong – are located in 48 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
USDA Announcement of Different BSE Test Results Seven Months After Agency Announced Official Results Raises Serious Questions
(Billings, Mont.) – USDA announced late Friday that after retesting brain samples from three cattle – including an animal announced to be negative for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) last November – it now appears that the November 2004 animal has a "weak positive" test result. R-CALF USA President Leo McDonnell said the public should remain confident in the safety of U.S. beef. However, he raised concerns about the actions of USDA regarding BSE, and issued this statement:
"From what USDA said Friday, it appears that the only reason these recent tests were done is because the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG), an independent watchdog authority within the agency, insisted that the tests be done. In addition, the OIG requested a specific type of test be done, the Western blot test.
"This latest announcement reinforces what R-CALF has been saying all along, that if the United States is to continue to have the safest beef in the world, with the toughest safety standards in the world, we need to maintain and reinforce our two strongest firewalls against BSE: our feed ban on meat and bone meal (MBM), and our import ban. United States cattle producers raise high quality cattle and do all they can to ensure their cattle's health. We depend upon these firewalls to protect our cattle herd and food supply. R-CALF USA has already been calling on USDA and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to take additional steps to minimize the possibility of BSE being introduced and subsequently spread in the United States.
"All three 'inconclusive' test results announced by USDA last year caused live cattle prices to fall, and we have yet to see how the markets will react on Monday to this incident. Why would USDA not have retested this animal over 7 months ago if it had any doubts as to the accuracy of its tests? USDA's past actions have unnecessarily traumatized U.S. cattle producers, and this situation raises the need for further questioning of USDA's handling of the entire BSE issue.
"Ironically, on Thursday, the Secretary held a roundtable discussion supposedly to talk about the science of BSE, but had no scientists present to discuss the need for different testing protocols, and instead, the Secretary deflected discussion away from science and to the economics of the issue, such as USDA's position that cattle prices are too high.
"Specifically, we are concerned that USDA appears to be flip-flopping on its testing procedures. USDA previously told us the immunohistochemistry (IHC) test used to confirm that the earlier cases were negative was the 'gold standard' test for BSE. USDA actually criticized the earlier Japanese announcements of two positive BSE cases in cows less than 30 months of age because those cows were tested with the Western blot test – the same test that USDA is now saying shows a 'weak positive.' This situation calls for a more thorough analysis of the science behind BSE.
"We're pleased USDA has decided to send this sample to the international laboratory in Weybridge, England, because scientists there have had more experience with this disease than the U.S., and based on that experience, Europeans have implemented more stringent risk mitigation measures.
"It is important not to over-react to USDA's announced test results, because we must now wait for the confirmatory test by the international laboratory in Weybridge, England. United States cattle producers have complied with precautionary measures required by USDA and other agencies to protect the U.S. beef supply."
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow-calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members – over 18,000 strong – are located in 48 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
